CDU Calls for Reversal of Cannabis Legalization in Hamburg, Citing High Costs and Limited Impact
Hamburg, Germany – The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Hamburg is advocating for the reversal of Germany’s cannabis legalization, citing disproportionately high administrative costs and a limited impact on the illicit drug market. The call comes after an analysis of the law’s initial implementation revealed significant expenses related to enforcement and a minimal reduction in illegal cannabis sales.
Administrative Costs Outweigh Cannabis Distribution
According to data presented by Christin Christ, the CDU’s health policy expert in the Hamburg parliament, growers’ associations distributed approximately 230 kilograms of cannabis to their members in 2023. Yet, this distribution was offset by over €800,000 in personnel costs incurred by offices and authorities responsible for overseeing the novel regulations. Zeit Online reports on this disparity.
Limited Impact on Black Market
The CDU argues that the current figures demonstrate a “clear disproportion between effort and impact.” Christin Christ emphasized that the legalization, which took effect in April 2024, has not achieved its primary goal of displacing the black market. An interim report from the EKOCAN research project, evaluating the Cannabis Consumption Act, estimates total cannabis demand in Germany at 743 tons for 2024. Extrapolating this to Hamburg suggests an annual requirement of around 17 tonnes, a figure that legal cultivation is far from meeting. Zeit Online
Police Concerns and Enforcement Expenses
Hamburg Police Chief Falk Schnabel has also expressed concerns, stating that private cultivation is insufficient to meet the actual needs of consumers. Zeit Online. The costs associated with enforcing the cannabis law are also substantial. In the Altona district alone, personnel costs reached €503,721 in 2023, with an additional €317,350.88 incurred by the Authority for Justice and Consumer Protection.
CDU’s Call for Reversal
Christin Christ believes the numbers demonstrate the failure of the previous government’s cannabis legalization policy. She argues that the black market persists while taxpayers bear significant administrative burdens. The CDU is therefore calling for a swift reversal of the legalization measures. Zeit Online
About Christin Christ
Christin Christ is a member of the Hamburgische Bürgerschaft, representing the CDU. She was elected in March 2025 and serves as the health policy spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group. Hamburgische Bürgerschaft. Christin Christ joined the CDU Hamburg in 2013 and was a member of the Bezirksversammlung Wandsbek from 2020, focusing on economics, disaster control, and internal security. Wikipedia